Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing an image on a continuous print medium includes an image processing unit for converting print data received to image data printable; a developer image forming unit for forming a developer image using specific developer according to the image data; a transfer unit for transporting the continuous print medium and transferring the developer image to the continuous print medium; and a control unit for instructing timings of the developer image forming unit to form the developer image and the transfer unit to transport the continuous print medium when the control unit receives a conversion process completion notice from the image processing unit. Further, it is arranged so that an initialization operation of the developer image forming unit is performed before the developer image forming unit forms the developer image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing an image on a continuous print medium includes an image processing unit for converting print data received to image data printable; a developer image forming unit for forming a developer image using specific developer according to the image data; a transfer unit for transporting the continuous print medium and transferring the developer image to the continuous print medium; and a control unit for instructing timings of the developer image forming unit to form the developer image and the transfer unit to transport the continuous print medium when the control unit receives a conversion process completion notice from the image processing unit. Further, it is arranged so that an initialization operation of the developer image forming unit is performed before the developer image forming unit forms the developer image.

Abstract: A printer uses a consumable component having an internal fuse that is blown when the consumable component is installed. In one aspect of the invention, the consumable component includes a resistor connected in series with the fuse. Before the fuse is blown, the resistance value of the resistor is checked to make sure that the correct type of consumable component has been installed. In another aspect of the invention, if the fuse fails to blow on the first attempt, this is recorded in a memory and a second attempt is made later, the consumable component being used in the meantime. In still another aspect of the invention, the consumable component includes a resistor or thermistor connected in parallel with the fuse, enabling a consumable component with a blown fuse to be distinguished from a consumable component that is not installed.

Abstract: A printer uses a consumable component having an internal fuse that is blown when the consumable component is installed. In one aspect of the invention, the consumable component includes a resistor connected in series with the fuse. Before the fuse is blown, the resistance value of the resistor is checked to make sure that the correct type of consumable component has been installed. In another aspect of the invention, if the fuse fails to blow on the first attempt, this is recorded in a memory and a second attempt is made later, the consumable component being used in the meantime. In still another aspect of the invention, the consumable component includes a resistor or thermistor connected in parallel with the fuse, enabling a consumable component with a blown fuse to be distinguished from a consumable component that is not installed.

Abstract: A print head for non-impact printer is, for example, an LED head which comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements, LED drivers for selectively causing a drive current to flow into the light-emitting elements on the basis of the print data, a non-volatile memory for storing the modification data related to the value of the drive current. The modification data are determined in advance at the manufacturing process on the basis of the measured result when the light-emitting elements were driven by the LED driver so that all the light-emitting elements emit substantially same amount of light at the printing operation.

Abstract: An actuator includes an elastic member extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic member, and guiding device arranged inwardly of the elastic member and permitting the elastic member to move in the axial directions, but restraining the elastic member from moving in directions intersecting the axial directions. As the actuator is of an air-bag type so that energy of the pressurized fluid can be converted into mechanical movement with high efficiency. The actuator moves only in radial directions without expanding in radial directions, so that a space occupied by the actuator in operation is little.

Abstract: An actuator includes an elastic member extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic member, and guiding device arranged outwardly of the elastic member and permitting the elastic member to move in the axial directions, but restraining the elastic member from moving in directions intersecting the axial directions. As the actuator is of an air-bag type so that energy of the pressurized fluid can be converted into mechanical movement with high efficiency. The actuator moves only in axial directions without expanding in radial directions, so that the actuator takes up little space in operation.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic recording device which includes a number of consumable parts, there is provided a first memory for storing a currently integrated total number of prints, and a number of prints at replacement of each consumable part. A second memory stores a number of lifetime prints, which is a conversion of the life of each part into a number of prints. A processor performs a first calculation to calculate a number of prints for replaced consumable parts after such replacement and a second calculation to calculate a wear rate of the replaced consumable parts from the number of lifetime prints read out from the second memory, and from the number of prints calculated by the first calculation. An indication section indicates the wear rate obtained from the second calculation. The number of prints stored in the first memory for the consumable parts at replacement is written into the current total number of prints.

Abstract: A bendable actuator includes a tubular body made of an elastic material, a reinforcing braided structure surrounding the tubular body, and closure members closing both open ends of the tubular body and the reinforcing braided structure, respectively. At least one closure member is formed with a connecting aperture communicating with an internal space of the tubular body. A restraining device is provided at least partially between the closure members for partially restraining extension of the actuator in the axial direction. When the tubular body is supplied with a pressurized fluid, the actuator is extended in the axial direction while being curved at the same time.

Abstract: A traveling device moving along an elongated member includes support members arranged spaced apart from each other, an elastic contractible body arranged between the support members and expansible radially outwardly to cause contracting force in axial directions, an elastic member causing a force against the contracting force of the elastic contractible body, anchoring devices provided on the support members, respectively, and expansible to engage the elongated member when being supplied with a pressurized fluid, and a plurality of control cables each extending through one of the support members and connected with one end to the other support member. The traveling device can move along straight and curved portions of the elongated member by supplying and exhausting the pressurized fluid into and from the elastic contractible body and operating the control cables in response to alternate supply and exhaust of the pressurized fluid into and from the anchoring devices.

Abstract: A bendable actuator includes a plurality of elastic extensible members arranged in parallel and extensible in axial directions when a pressurized fluid is supplied into the elastic extensible members. The actuator further includes connecting members arranged in a manner embracing the elastic extensible members and connecting respective ends of the elastic extensible members. The actuator includes an elastic member arranged between the connecting members and surrounding the elastic extensible members to resist extending forces of the elastic extensible members and to restrain bending of the elastic extensible members. With this arrangement, linear extension and bending of the actuator are realized by adjusting supply and exhaust of the pressurized fluid into and from the elastic extensible members.

Abstract: A double-acting actuator includes a first tubular body made of an elastic material, a first reinforcing braided structure surrounding the first tubular body, a second tubular body made of an elastic material surrounding the first reinforcing braided structure to form a space outwardly thereof, and a second reinforcing braided structure surrounding the second tubular body. The actuator further includes closure members for closing and joining ends of the first and second tubular bodies and reinforcing braided structures, and guiding device for permitting axial movements of the first and second tubular bodies but restraining lateral movements thereof. The first and second reinforcing braided structures are so constructed that initial braided angles thereof permit of the first braided structure elongating and permit of the second braided structure contracting when the pressurized fluid is supplied into the first and second tubular bodies.

Abstract: A traveling device traveling along an elongated tube or member has an elastic contractable body expanding in radial directions to cause a contractive force in axial directions when supplied with pressurized fluid into the body. Mounting members are connected to respective ends of the elastic contractable body, and elastic member are arranged between the mounting members causing force resisting to the contractive force of the elastic contractable body. An anchoring structure is fixed to the mounting members and expands when supplied with pressurized fluid into the anchoring members. In case of a large diameter column or tube, the traveling device comprises a plurality of elastic contractable bodies and a pair of frames having a shape and a size encircling the column or enclosed in the tube other than the components above described.

Abstract: A traveling device traveling along an elongated tube or member has an elastic contractable body expanding in radial directions to cause a contractive force in axial directions when supplied with pressurized fluid into the body. Mounting members are connected to respective ends of the elastic contractable body, and elastic member are arranged between the mounting members causing force resisting to the contractive force of the elastic contractable body. An anchoring structure is fixed to the mounting members and expands when supplied with pressurized fluid into the anchoring structure. In case of a large diameter column or tube, the traveling device comprises a plurality of elastic contractable bodies and a pair of frames having a shape and a size encircling the column or enclosed in the tube other than the components above described.